I haven't seen any proof the Trump's EOs have usurped state and local regulations and permitting. Both of these pieces were written well after the executive order mentioned in the meme.
Federal AI Data Center Policy Meets Resistance from State Lawmakers
April 14, 2026 | Morgan Scarboro, Kim Miller
The Trump administration has pushed to accelerate federal AI data center policy through executive orders that streamline permitting and environmental review, but these directives don't override state authority on land use, zoning, or utility regulations.
Twenty-seven states are advancing state data center legislation that requires developers to cover data center energy costs and report usage, with California, Ohio, and Utah already enacting laws that go beyond the federal government's voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
Maine is poised to become the first state to implement data center construction moratoriums, pausing new projects until November 2027, with several other states and localities considering similar measures despite federal efforts to speed up development.
State AI legislation is addressing water consumption and energy infrastructure costs for facilities as small as 10 MW, while federal rules only apply to data centers above 100 MW, creating a gap between federal priorities and local concerns.
https://www.multistate.us/insider/2026/4/14/federal-ai-data-center-policy-meets-resistance-from-state-lawmakers
In fact, the federal government has intentionally left local oversight intact. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin said stated that determining appropriate practices, water consumption rules, and air pollution standards for each facility is a matter for states and local communities, not the federal government. Of course, this administration lies, so who knows?
https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/epa-hands-over-ai-data-center-regulation-to-states-and-communities-to-develop-best-practices
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